How to permanently remove Google Assistant with Xiaomi Redmi 4X: 5 working methods

Google Assistant on Xiaomi Redmi 4X is often a source of irritation: it consumes battery power, collects user data and is periodically activated by random clicks. Especially for owners of a budget smartphone released in 2017, where hardware resources are limited, and the MIUI 8-10 firmware does not always correctly integrate Google services. Unlike new models, there is no built-in option for full removal – only a shutdown that is reset after updates.

In this article, we will look at all possible ways, from standard shutdown through settings to radical removal of system files (for root users), and consider alternative options, such as replacing with Mi Assistant or completely eliminating voice assistants. Importantly, some methods require technical skills and can affect the stability of the device.

Why Google Assistant is in the way of Redmi 4X

On Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codename santoni), Google Assistant is installed by default as part of the Google Mobile Services (GMS) package.

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption – background activity of the assistant eats up to 5-7% of the charge per day even with minimal use.
• 📱 Random positives – just press the Home button or say a phrase similar to “OK, Google".
• 🛡️ Data collection – the assistant sends voice recordings and request history to Google servers (even if you are not actively using it).
• 🚫 Conflict with MIUI — On older versions of firmware, the Assistant can block gestures or intercept presses.

According to tests, on the Redmi 4X with 2 GB of Google RAM, the Assistant takes up to 150-200 MB of RAM in the background. For comparison, Xiaomi’s Mi Assistant spends 3-4 times less resources. However, simply turning off through settings does not always help – after restarting or updating applications, the service can turn on again.

Method 1: Standard shutdown via settings (no root)

The safest way to do this is to deactivate the assistant without deleting it completely, and it won't free up the memory, but it will stop the background activity and the random triggers.

1. Open the Google app (the icon with the letter "G" on a color background).
2. Slip on the avatar in the upper right corner → Settings → Google Assistant.
3. Scroll down to General and select Google Assistant (yes, the item repeats).
4. Turn off the Google Assistant slider and confirm the action.

To completely disable voice activation:

1. Go back to Google Settings → Voice Search → Voice Enter.
2. Turn off the “OK Google” and “Voice Match” options.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 8 This method may not work due to a firmware error.If the Assistant continues to start after shutting down, try updating the Google app to the latest version via Play Market.

Method 2: Removing updates and rolling back to the factory version

Google Assistant is originally embedded in the Redmi 4X firmware, but its updates can be removed by returning the app to factory status, which will reduce functionality but reduce the load on the system.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google (not to be confused with Google Play Services!) and tap it.
3. In the upper right corner, click on three dots → Remove updates.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

After that:

• 🔄 Stop automatically updating Google App in Play Market (open the App page) → three-point → Remove from auto-update).
• 📵 Turn off mobile data and Wi-Fi for Google app in traffic settings.

💡

If the Assistant is still activated after you delete the updates, check for duplicate applications (such as Google App or Velvet) through any file manager with access to the system folders.

Method 3: Using ADB for deep shutdown (no root)

If standard methods do not help, you can forcibly deactivate Google Assistant through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method doesn't require superuser rights, but it will require a computer and a computer. USB-cable.

Preparation:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Settings → About Phone → 7 times tap on the MIUI version.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Download ADB Tools on PC and unpack it into a separate folder.

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi 4X to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\platform-tools
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
4. Run the command to disable Google Assistant: adb shell pm hide com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

If the pm hide command is not supported (on older versions of Android), use the alternative:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 8 The command may not work due to the limitations of the shell, in which case try to update the firmware to MIUI 9/10 Or use the root method.

Method 4: Complete removal via TWRP (root required)

To radically remove Google Assistant, you will need superuser rights (root) and custom TWRP recaps. This method is suitable for experienced users, as incorrect actions can lead to data loss or a “brick” of the device.

Steps:

1. Install TWRP Recovery for Redmi 4X (instructions are available on the XDA Developers forum).
2. Download any file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Manager).
3. Go to /system/priv-app/Velvet and delete the Velvet folder (that is Google Assistant).
4. Also delete files: /system/app/GoogleQuickSearchBox /system/priv-app/GoogleQuickSearchBox
5. Clean the cache and Dalvik-cache in TWRP (wipe → advanced Wipe section).
6. Reboot the phone.

After removal:

• 🔍 The Home button will stop running the Assistant (you can reassign to another action via Button Mapper).
• 📉 Free up to 100-150 MB of space in the system section.
• ⚠️ Some Google features (such as voice search in the browser) may not work properly.

💡

Deleting the TWRP is the only way to completely eliminate Google Assistant at the system level, but it can disrupt other Google services like Play Market or Gmail.

Method 5: Replacement with Mi Assistant or other assistant

If the goal is not so much to remove Google Assistant as to replace it with a lighter analog, consider:

• 🤖 Mi Assistant – Xiaomi’s standard assistant, optimized for MIUI. Set through Settings → Additionally. → Voice assistant.
• 🎤 Alice from Yandex – supports Russian and integrates with Yandex services (Weather, Maps, Music).
• 🔄 Bixby (for Samsung fans) – can be installed via APK, but requires adjustment.

To reassign the Home button to another assistant:

1. Install the Button Mapper app from the Play Market.
2. Give him the ADB rights (instructions will appear in the appendix).
3. Select the Long Click Home action and assign the launch of the right assistant.

Comparison of assistants for Redmi 4X:

Restore Google Assistant (if something goes wrong)

If you have problems after deleting or disabling (for example, Google Play Services stopped working), you can return everything back:

• 🔄 For rootless methods: Update the Google app through the Play Market and enable Assistant in the settings.
• 📥 For root methods: Download the original APK Velvet (e.g., from APKMirror) Place the file in a folder /system/priv-app/ through TWRP. Set up rights. 644 (r-w-r--r--). Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: If after deleting system files, the phone stopped booting (bootloop), you will need to flash the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool!

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Google Assistant